Burglar strikes as couple in 80s sleep
L13-145 8/2/13 MBLN Burgalry victim Dennis Brock of Southwood Road, Dunstable. The burglar gained access to the first floor flat through an open fan light window in the bathroom. wk 7 RR JX
A burglar stole sentimental possessions from an elderly couple as they slept in their Dunstable home, plus goodies intended for their great-grandchildren.
Dawn Brock, 81, woke at about 4am to find the bathroom window of her warden-controlled flat in Downside wide open and much of her priceless jewellery missing.
She woke husband Dennis, 84, and they discovered confectionary, including gingerbread men that they had bought for the visit of their 10 great-grandchildren, had also been taken.
Mrs Brock said: “I couldn’t believe he took them.”
The intruder used a ladder to get in through Mr and Mrs Brock’s first-floor window, and entered the main bedroom while the couple – who celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary in August – slept.
Mr Brock said: “I think he was like an old-fashioned cat burglar. He was very quiet and I think he was in and out within two minutes.”
Mrs Brock was grateful she slept through the burglary, as she feels she could easily have been killed.
She said: “I’m glad I didn’t wake up while he was in the flat because I probably wouldn’t be here now.
“Burglars do silly things when you disturb them, he could have lamped me round the head or stabbed me.
“The adrenaline set in and I went looking for him. the feeling will never go away.”
Among the huge haul stolen were three irreplaceable wedding rings, a black onyx dress ring, 22-carat gold pendant from Malta, a heart locket containing family photographs, two jewellery boxes and a porcelain hand adorned with rings and bracelets.
The pair’s misery was compounded when Mr Brock was taken into hospital later that day. Though her husband is now recovering at home, Mrs Brock said: “It has been a nightmare weekend.”
Mrs Brock was particularly pleased with the “wonderful” efforts of police following her 4am emergency phonecall.
She said: “They don’t get the praise they deserve most of the time, but they were fantastic. It was the middle of the night but they were here in 20 minutes and spent all day with us. They went down to Cash Convertors to tell staff to be on the look-out.”
Mrs Brock had particular praise for PC Simon Day and Det Sgt Andy Greenacre.
“We’ve lived here 15 years and we can’t believe it.
“There’s a streetlight in that alleyway and it’s like daylight at night. You think you’re safe.
Money you can get back. I don’t think I’ll ever get any of the sentimental stuff back.
If you have any information, call Beds Police on the non-emergency number 101.
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Tuesday 21 May 2013
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